Even though it kills us if we stay in for too long without taking a breath, most of the planet is covered in water and we need it to live. Water also has a tenuous relationship with video games. It is difficult to make it look realistic and, moreover, underwater levels are often the bane of gamers' existences.
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While the games below are not necessarily the best when it comes to the gameplay implementation of it, the water’s visuals and how it interacts with the environment impress us enough on their own. The great thing about water, too, is that good water effects are not only relegated to the newest games on the market using cutting-edge technology. By thinking smart and using the tools they had at the time efficiently, some of the best water in the business is from games that are over a decade old.
The Rage engine has been in use since the Xbox 360 and PS3 generations withGrand Theft Auto 4and, lest we forget, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis. It is difficult to believe the same engine powers games likeRed Dead Redemption 2ten years later.
The studio’s other big open-world series, Grand Theft Auto, focuses on large, modern, urban environments. Red Dead is all about nature and small towns. When out in the wilderness, you can see the ecosystem at work, with every element interacting with each other, including the water. You can’t swim underwater, but it is still easy to soak in its beauty regardless. Nature reflects off it like a mirror, fish swim in it, other wildlife trample through it, and Dutch van der Linde brutally drowns someone in it.
7Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
TheAssassin’s Creed serieschanges form and feels different with every entry. The third numbered game introduced naval combat, and it intrigued fans to the point of it becoming a major part of the next game.
Assassin’s Creed 4 is all about being a pirateand you spend a lot of time on the high seas, surrounded by the ocean. It looks absolutely gorgeous. When commanding a ship, it all feels heavy and dangerous, with big waves rocking the boat up and down. Waves get so violent, your ship almost is on its side at times. You don’t want to be swallowed up by the water, but it sure is nice to be slightly above it in a pirate ship.
6Half-Life 2
The source engine blew gamers away when it debuted withHalf-Life 2.In addition to the immaculate visuals, it also had an intensely realistic physics system and great water. It is a good thing, too, because you spend a significant amount of time on the water early in the game on a speedboat.
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It’s great to see random objects floating in the water, and it even plays a part in some of the physics puzzles. While some aspects of the Source engine have aged, the water still holds up.
5Bioshock
Bioshocktakes place exclusively under the ocean in the underwater city of Rapture. The general effects of the ocean for the few scenes you see either from above or while submerged look okay, but the game really shines with the way water seeps into Rapture.
The city is in ruins and leaks are sprouting everywhere, giving the impression that the ocean itself is invading it.Rapture is on its last legsand the water is swallowing it up, which is perfectly reflected in the water effects.
4Hydrophobia
Hydrophobia had an original idea of making a game taking place mostly in water and putting you in the shoes of a character with a severe fear of the stuff. Look at the game today, and it is easy to tell that it’s from 2010, but the water still manages to impress.
The game wants you to be stressed out by the water, and it accomplishes its goal by the way it violently thrashes around the levels and affects the environment. Hydrophobia received lackluster reviews, but it’s worth playing just for a little bit to see the water.
3Uncharted 4
Uncharted 4is still one of the best-looking games on consoles, and we expect nothing less from developerNaughty Dog. Both it andThe Last of Us Part 2from 2020 do amazing things with water. Nathan Drake’s 2016 adventure has a variety of natural environments where water flows freely, and the gritty post-apocalyptic Seattle has plenty of set pieces where you can sneak underwater.
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Certain parts of the city are submerged as well. Equally impressive as the water itself in these games is the way characters look after they leave it. You leave wet footprints and the clothes and soaked for a while during gameplay.
2Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves,like many live service games, had a rocky start before slowly adjusting itself to be the fan-favorite Xbox game it is today. The graphics themselves do are nothing to write home about, but the water is far and above the prettiest thing in the game.
It’s more than just the way it looks.It is simply serene to be on a ship and feel the way the waves rock the boat.Don’t get distracted for too long, though. Otherwise, another player will sink your ship.
1Metal Gear Solid 2: The Sons Of Liberty
In 2001,Metal Gear Solid 2: The Sons of Libertywas arguably the best-looking video game ever. While certain aspects of it haven’t aged well, the rain and water effects still dazzle us. The opening of the game has you sneaking on board a tanker during torrential rainfall.
Seeing the environment pummeled by precipitation not only immerses you, but also covers up any shortcomings the graphics might have these days. Later underwater segments look great, but the rain in the intro is the real star of the visual show.
